Shilpa Shetty gifts robotic elephant to Rambhapuri Math in Karnataka

Actor Shilpa Shetty has gifted a remarkable robotic elephant to the Rambhapuri Math in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, marking a significant step toward ethical animal treatment. The three-meter-tall mechanical elephant, named Veerabhadra, was inaugurated by the math’s pontiff. Its life-like movements, including swinging ears, trunk, and tail, closely mimic a real elephant, fooling onlookers with its realistic appearance.

Also Read: Orphaned elephant calf rescued after 80-kilometre trek in Madhya Pradesh

This innovative robotic elephant, which weighs around 800 kilograms, was gifted in collaboration with People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA). The mechanical elephant is intended to replace live elephants traditionally used in temple ceremonies, reducing the demand for real animals in such events.

The initiative aims to promote the welfare of elephants, allowing them to remain in their natural forest habitat instead of being used in ceremonies. PETA and CUPA have been actively advocating for the use of mechanical elephants in religious and cultural events, highlighting the importance of ethical treatment of animals.

The gift comes as part of ongoing efforts to support animal rights and preserve wildlife, and it is expected to set a precedent for other temples and institutions to follow in using technology to replace live animals in ceremonial practices.